Leona Maguire starts well in LET card bid
Leona Maguire of Ireland during the first round of the Lalla Aicha Tour School at Amelkis Golf Club, Marrakech, Morocco. 15 December 2018. Credit: Tristan Jones
Leona Maguire got her bid for a Ladies European Tour card off to a positive start when she opened with a four-under 68 to lie just three shots off the pace in the Lalla Aicha Tour School in Morocco.
The Slieve Russell star (24) shares third place with Spain’s Maria Hernandez, English pair Sian Evans and Dulcie Sverdloff, France's Manon Gidali and Germany's Esther Henseleit in the five-round race for 25 cards at Amelkis Golf Club in Marrakesh. Scores
India's Astha Madan.Credit: Tristan Jones
India's Astha Madan carded a flawless seven-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead over England's Lauren Horsford as 115 players play both Amelkis and Palm Golf Ourika twice before the final round at Amelkis on Thursday.
Following 90 holes, the leading five players will earn Category 5c membership of the LET, gaining entry into most tournaments, while those finishing from sixth to 25th will earn membership in Category 8.
In South Africa, American David Lipsky (30) shrugged off a double-bogey at the par-three 16th to birdie the last and win his second European Tour title in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek. Scores
Four ahead standing on the 16th tee, he recovered to card a four-under 68 and win by two strokes from fast-finishing Scot David Drysdale on 14-under par, earning €237,750.
“It’s indescribable actually,” said Lipsky, who won the Omega European Masters in 2014 but struggled this year.
“Winning is what we all hope to do, it’s what we practise for, it’s what we all put the time in for - the blood, sweat and tears.
"To cap it off with a win at the end of the year is so special and I’m really looking forward to big things in 2019."
Justin Rose is also looking forward to big things next year, but the defending champion couldn't clinch the top 12 finish he needed to begin 2019 as world number one as Thailand’s Poom Saksansin won the BNI Indonesian Masters at Royale Jakarta. Scores
Rose closed with a disappointing, three-over par 75 to tie for 17th on six-under, 14 strokes adrift of Poom, who chiselled out a four-under-par 68 to win by three shots on 20-under par from compatriot Jazz Janewattananond and by six from his hero Henrik Stenson.
Roger Chapman with the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles trophy. Picture: Getty Images
As Muskerry's Niall Turner ($3,872) tied for 45th on one-over after a 72, Stenson had to settle for fourth on 14-under after a struggling to a 71.
"I wasn’t even thinking about winning or losing," Poom said. "I was just thinking about playing alongside Henrik. I am very excited right now, and I look forward to a better season next year."
England's Roger Chapman secured his first Staysure Tour title since 2012 when closed with a three-under 65, and then made a curling 30 footer for eagle at the first playoff hole to beat Welshman Phillip Price and claim the season-ending MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles. Scores
Price shot a five-under-par 63 to set the clubhouse target at six-under, but he couldn't match Chapman's eagle on their return to the par-five 18th in sudden-death.
Paul Broadhurst, who tied for seventh in the final event, topped the Staysure Tour Order of Merit and won the John Jacobs Trophy for the second time in three years.
In the PNC Father/Son Challenge, Davis Love and his son Dru added a 16-under 56 to their opening 62 to win the 36-hole scramble title by three strokes on 26-under par at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando. Scores
Retief and Leo Goosen, Stewart and Connor Cink, David and Carter Toms and overnight leaders John and Little John Daly tied for second as Darren Clarke and his son Tyrone finished 15th in the 20-team event on 13-under after rounds of 67 and 64.
Jack Nicklaus (78), playing with his grandson GT, finished alone in sixth on 19-under.
Ryder Cup hero Francesco Molinari added the BBC Sport Personality of the Year World Sport Star award to his list of successes this season.
The Italian — winner of The Open, the BMW PGA, the Race to Dubai and five matches from five in Europe’s victory in Paris — beat off competition from Simone Biles (gymnast), Ester Ledecka (winter sports) and Oleksandr Usyk (boxer) for what was formerly known as the Overseas Sports Personality of the Year.
However, the European Ryder Cup team lost out for Team of Year to England Netball and Ricoh Women’s British Open winner Georgia Hall failed to make the shortlist.
Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas was BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2018.
In a public vote, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton finished second while footballer Harry Kane was third.
